New M20 junction ‘still on the table’ despite setback
Council backing for its own housing scheme
A council says a new motorway junction on the M20 between Ashford and Maidstone could still be feasible, even though plans for the transport link as part of its 5,000 homes scheme have fallen through. Maidstone Borough Council held its first virtual meeting to discuss the future of its Lenham Heath garden village development.
In a report to the council’s policy and resource committee, officers said building a new motorway junction and high speed rail line were no longer feasible.
Director of regeneration and place, William Cornall, stated this idea is still on the table. Mr Cornell said: “The case of a motorway junction could still be made if it could be linked to other larger scale developments either in Maidstone or perhaps in Ashford too as each authority’s local plans continue to evolve.”
David Smith, from Hubbard’s Farm, owns part of the land the council needed to build the original junction but turned his back on selling because he doesn’t want the area turned into ‘another Ebbsfleet’. However a council spokesman said the transport advice was not informed by the willingness, or not of any landowers, but came from a focus on sustainable measures.
Chairman of the committee and council Leader, Martin Cox (Lib Dem), said: “I think there are quite a number of people who, when driving down the M20 heading east, suddenly through some distraction, do not get off at Leeds Castle and therefore have to go all the way to Ashford. This is just adding to the carbon footprint.”
Helen Whately MP (Con) for Faversham and Mid Kent said the decision ‘rode roughshod’ over local views, adding: “The development would destroy a beautiful area of farmland at the foot of the North Downs and put huge pressure on local roads and services.”
Kate Hammond, committee member at the action group Save Our Heathlands Lenham, pledged to keep fighting against the project, adding: “Despite the council painting a bleak picture about its financial position, it is ironic that they have decided to squander a further £100,000 on a housing scheme that has been doomed from the start.”
The committee voted in favour of the recommendations which means Mr Cornell was granted authority to enter into renewed lockout agreements with the residual landowner group.